Cambodian FM, U.S. Secretary of State to meet at NY for deepening bilateral ties

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PHNOM PENH, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong said on Tuesday that he plans to meet with his American counterpart Hillary Clinton in New York during his stay there.

"So far, both sides have plan to meet to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and relationship between the two countries during I stay there to join the UN General Assembly late this month," Hor told reporters at his ministry after signing agreements with the U.S. to receive over 34 million U.S. dollars assistance for health and education improvement.

"I and my American counterpart are busy at the U.N. General Assembly but both sides plan to seek appropriate time for talking to deepen the bilateral relationship," he said, adding that "I have just talked with U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia (Carol A. Rodley) briefing about the time of the bilateral talks."

Hor Namhong said he plans to leave Cambodia on September 22 for New York to join the U.N. General Assembly.

Since 1999, the U.S. has provided over 250 million U.S. dollars for health and education system improvement in Cambodia. "We highly appreciated with the assistance from the U.S.," he added.

"The bilateral relationship between the two countries are getting better and better and moving forwards," Hor Namhong said, citing that "the U.S. sent their Peace Corps to help local Cambodians, lifted Cambodia from trade blacklist and provided military assistance to Cambodian armed forces." Last week, the U.S. offered over 6.5 million U.S. dollars worth of military equipment and technical assistance to Cambodian Royal Armed Forces.